Omaha Hi-Lo (also known as Omaha 8 or better) is frequently viewed as one of the most difficult but well-loved poker games. It is a variation that, even more than normal Omaha poker, invites play from every level of players. This is the main reason why a once obscure game, has expanded in popularity so amazingly.
Omaha hi-low begins exactly like a regular game of Omaha. 4 cards are dealt to every player. A sequence of wagering ensues where players can wager, check, or fold. 3 cards are given out, this is referred to as the flop. Another round of betting ensues. After all the players have either called or folded, another card is revealed on the turn. Another round of wagering ensues and then the river card is flipped. The players will have to put together the strongest high and low five card hands using the board and hole cards.
This is where many entrants get baffled. Contrasted to Texas Hold ‘Em, where the board can make up everyone’s hand, in Omaha hi/lo the player must utilize precisely 3 cards on the board, and exactly 2 cards from their hand. Not a single card more, no less. Contrary to regular Omaha, there are two ways a pot might be won: the "high hand" or the "lower hand."
A high hand is just how it sounds. It’s the strongest hand out of everyone’s, whether that is a straight, flush, full house, etc. It’s the same approach in just about every poker game.
The low hand is more complex, but certainly opens up the play. When figuring out a low hand, straights and flushes do not count. the lowest hand is the worst hand that could be put together, with the lowest being A-2-3-4-5. Since straights and flushes do not count, A-2-3-4-5 is the smallest value hand possible. The lower hand is any 5 card hand (unpaired) with an eight and smaller. The lower hand takes half of the pot, as does the higher hand. When there’s no lower hand available, the higher hand wins the entire pot.
While it seems difficult at the outset, after a couple of hands you will be agile enough to pick up on the fundamental subtleties of play with ease. Seeing as you have individuals wagering for the low and wagering for the high, and seeing as such a large number of cards are being used at the same time, Omaha 8 or better provides an exciting range of wagering options and because you have several individuals shooting for the high hand, and a few trying for the low hand. If you like a game with a considerable amount of outs and actions, it’s worth your time to compete in Omaha 8 or better.